All the latest news in Australia's indie scene with a sometimes jarring Melbourne focus

"Those damn krautrock jams,” smirked Dan Kelly on Wednesday night at The Residence in Birrarung Marr after being told he and his Dream Band only had time for one more song. It didn’t matter; the wiry haired daytripper and his astral travellers had shown us enough evidence of their immersive/subversive new direction. We were convinced. “On The Run (Part Two) is the new kraut one,” says Kelly, claiming he’s still sauced from the night before. Kosmische!

Kelly likes talking double Deutsch.

“(My) best kraut moments are Rock Me Amadeus by Falco, 99 Luft Balloons by Nena, Danke Schón by Wayne Newton ... also the theme from Dad’s Army!”
His next album will “probably be called Dan Kelly 4, and may be out in April”. The record follows up his AMP nominated third album Dan Kelly’s Dream two years back and comes after he helped record with his uncle, up 'n' comer strummer Paul, in Byron Bay.

Another new track is Guitar Tech Dream of The Superjesus.

“All of my new songs are travel related. I have a northern New South Wales suite and a goodbye-to-Berlin Chris Isherwood cabaret section.” SCOOP: Dan Kelly will be playing as part of the 2Lunch shows at The Toff on December 20. Mmm. Moreish. Three doubles passes are up for grabs (this includes a free lunch!). See below.

As well as the Singhala Music showcase, Melbourne Music Week highlights thus far have been Pantha Du Prince and the Bell Laboratory’s shows (standing ovations!), Mess and Noise’s Lunchbox shows with Banoffee, Ross McLennan, Wintercoats, Jimmy Tait and Mistletone’s opening night party with Sonny and the Sunsets, Boomgates and the always kooky Montero.

Controversially, a Peep Tempel and Bad Family gig in North Melbourne was shut down by an irate neighbour who allegedly rammed members of Bad Family while they were doing their soundcheck. The police came and cooled down the situation…but as soon as the fuzz left the dorftrottel came back, threatening violence. Luke O’Sullivan of The HiFi stepped in to save the day, offering his venue. Some calls were made and Billy Hyde stepped up to the plate with a backline to rival Hawthorn’s formidable Langford, Ayres and Andy Collins combination of 1989.

Maybe next year The HiFi Bar will be invited to be a part of the Melbourne Music Week. They did a stellar job (as always) putting AWME shows so go on, MMW organisers, throw them a fricking bone.

Catch Early Woman today from 1pm at The Residence for free and see a whole bunch of other great gigs this week, bros and babes!

To win one of three double passes to see Dan Kelly perform a cushy show at The Toff on Dec 20, email michael.cahill@news.com.au with the subject heading BEFORE 2LUNCH: NOSH WITH DAN KELLY PLEASE

Cherry on Topof Crown CherryFest 2013 set times are up and the reformed-and-in-form Chris Wilson’s Crown of Thorns will close the Cherry Bar stage while The Bellrays will slay them in the street. Berlin trio Kadavar should pack quite a punch too. “They know their ‘70s Black Sabbath and their beards. AC/DC Lane is going to grow a beard while they play,” says James Young, quip-witted.

Calling Dr Jones N’Fa Jones got hot when he was rocking 1200 Techniques and found it a bit difficult when the metaphorical genie was put back in the bottle. Drapht’s Bali Party brought him back and now he’s dropped a life-affirming, super-meta track Life’s A Game with lines like “Nelson Mandela said it best, ‘Never judge a man by success’.”

Revolver, 229 Chapel St, Prahran. Sat, 8.30pm. $10.

Oh Billy Sally Seltmann’s new single Billy is part chamber music, part Bronte lament. The clip is very The Hours too. She heads off to live in LA with her husband Darren but will be back in March to tour her second album out in February 28. Toodles, m’dear.

Breakfast Can Wait – PrinceBest bit: At 40 seconds when a grown man tosses aside freshly made pancakes and syrup. Actually that's the worst bit, are you crazy man?! Weirdest bit: At 1.58, a female Prince (with less make-up) grimacing at a pancake.Earworm bit: “High kicks, smothered in honey. Uh huh, I’m gonna have to passs”

Bullet - Franz FerdinandBest bit: The drummer at 1.17 looking like he’s got a very pointy Johnson. Weirdest bit: Nick McCarthy’s impersonation of Kyle McLachlan. Earworm bit: Not much of it. This album wasn’t the return to form some critics claimed it was. This was. www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrhJBm5r058

Real Slow – Miami Horror feat. Sarah ChernoffBest bit: Are you kidding me? Here’s a hint: froot loops plus bath minus clothes.Weirdest bit: The introduction of an international espionage storyline at 3mins. Marsellus Wallace-esque.Earworm bit: The way the keys double up on each other during the chorus.

Werewolves – Calling All CarsBest bit: They’ve discovered falsetto and written the best Eskimo Joe song Eskimo Joe don’t know how to write anymore.Weirdest bit: The guitarist thinking he’s a werewolf. Also, the creeping flesh X-Files moment in the middle.Earworm bit: “Heyyyy, you’re making me uncomfortable”

Right Thing – Rosie LoweBest bit: She’s got a sexy back (yeah). Icy sound with more edge than London Grammar.Weirdest bit: The unexpected scuttling background noises that make you scratch your headphones and look around all panicky like.Earworm bit: “Thought I made the right choice then you came/ Am I to blame?”

I Don’t Know How – Best CoastBest bit: Denim bikini overall portmanteau. And the song is a forlorn belter too.Weirdest bit: The lame mosh at 2.44.Earworm bit: The chorus. Which nearly outstays its welcome…but then, double speed!

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